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May 08, 2008

Test of maturity for stem cells: "
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Posted: May 7, 2008
Test of maturity for stem cells
(Nanowerk News) Stem cells can differentiate into 220 different types of body cell. The development of these cells can now be systematically observed and investigated with the aid of two new machines that imitate the conditions in the human body with unprecedented accuracy.
Stem cells are extremely versatile: They can develop in 220 different ways, transforming themselves into a correspondingly diverse range of specialized body cells. Biologists and medical scientists plan to make use of this differentiation ability to selectively harvest cardiac, skin or nerve cells for the treatment of different diseases. However, the stem cell culture techniques practiced today are not very efficient. What proportion of a mass of s"

Technology Review: Focusing on Solar's Cost: "
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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Focusing on Solar's Cost
Sunrgi claims that its concentrated photovoltaic system outshines the competition.
By Tyler Hamilton
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Focus, focus: Sunrgi’s concentrated photovoltaic module consists of lenses that focus sunlight on a high-efficiency solar cell, and a special heat sink designed to dissipate the extreme heat produced by such an intense concentration of the sun’s rays.
Credit: Sunrgi
A Hollywood-based solar startup says that it will soon be able to produce electricity from the sun at costs that are competitive with fossil-fuel generation. The key is the company's dramatic improvement in the performance of concentrated photovoltaic technology.
Sunrgi, which emerged out of stealth mode last week, has created a concentrated photovoltaic system that uses a lens to focus s"

John Sterman pokes holes through some popular proposals for addressing climate change, with sobering case studies that demonstrate why technological solutions are not enough to address the problem of creating a sustainable world.

We are staking too much hope for a climate change fix on the better mousetrap theory of innovation, says Sterman. It goes like this: New technology from places like MIT will drive down the cost of renewable energy, increase demand for carbon-free renewables and displace fossil fuels. New energy markets emerge, after a regulatory nudge or two from the government, or some incentives and emissions fees.

To demonstrate how completely wrong this theory is, Sterman first discusses great products never adopted by consumers, such as the Sony Betamax video recorder. More to the point, he notes current opportunities that would significantly reduce our carbon footprint yet have been ignored by society at large, such as improving fuel efficiency, and insulating buildings. Our rejection of these opportunities suggests we cant comprehend the complexity of systems in which we are embedded and into which we deploy technologies, particularly the concept of feedback.

Sterman runs through a thought experiment involving the introduction of a hydrogen-based, zero tailpipe emission alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) into California  a conceivable leap toward creating an ecologically and economically sustainable transportation system. The government kick-starts the AFV market, rolling out fuel stations in urban centers, and essentially subsidizing the transition for a decade. Youd expect this AFV eventually to command at least 50% of the market share. But when Sterman runs his simulations, the AFV stagnates at around 25%.

It turns out that if fuel stations are not distributed through even the remotest parts of the state, people worry about where theyll find fuel, leading to weak demand for AFVs. This is only one of the many reinforcing feedbacks which create strong barriers to the entry of technologies which are as good or better than incumbent technologies, says Sterman. Even an AFV with higher fuel efficiency cant win market share, Stermans California simulations show.

The models offer some faint promise. When Sterman puts more fuel stations in rural areas, the AFV market succeeds -- after an extraordinarily long time. Sterman believes theres a tipping point in the adoption of new technologies. Dethroning gasoline will be difficult, he says, so we need to create multiple reinforcing feedbacks to change the behaviors of all the players. We must push that ball, which represents where the market is, up a steep mountain, and only after crossing the peak will the market become self-sustaining.
-- [January 30, 2008 9:00 AM]"

Cell Based Sensors Detect Dangers Like Explosives and Biohazards: "
Cell Based Sensors Detect Dangers Like Explosives and Biohazards
A small, unmanned vehicle makes its way down the road ahead of a military convoy. Suddenly it stops and relays a warning to the convoy commander. The presence of a deadly improvised explosive device, or IED, has been detected by sophisticated new sensor technology incorporating living olfactory cells on microchips mounted on the unmanned vehicle. The IED is safely dismantled and lives are saved.
Precise manipulation of cells on chip. Three yeast cells are being steered to an accuracy of 1 mm (1/1000th of a millimeter) each by feedback flow control
This scenario may become a reality, thanks to the work of three faculty rese"